Securing means for window guards and the like



Feb. 16, 1960 A. P. gum-g; 2,924,862

SECURING MEANS FOR WINDOW Gums AND ms LIKE Filed Feb.'2e. 1959 2Sheets-Sheet 1" Feb. 16, 1960 A. P. PELLICORE 2, 2

SECURING MEANS FOR wmuow GUARDS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 26. 1959 M s 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

United States Patent SECURING MEANS FOR WINDOW GUARDS AND THE LIKEAlbert P. Pellicore, Chicago, Ill.

Application February 26, 1959, Serial No. 795,693

13 Claims. (Cl. 20-71) This invention relates to improved securing meansand more particularly to a locking means for a window guard or the likeadapted to resiliently maintain the window guard in a closed positionwhile being selectively lockable to positively restrain the guard in theclosed position.

Window breakage has been a serious problem and expense in publicbuildings in recent years. Playful school children as well as vandalsand prowlers cause school systems and other institutions excessiveexpense as a result of glass breakage resulting from thrown stones andballs as well as tampering. In one particular school the glass breakagein one year amounted to approximately $30,000 and, following theinstallation of wire window guards, this breakage was reduced toapproximately $1,500.

To avoid removal of and damage to the guards and to avoid ingress byprowlers and vandals it has been the practice to provide means on theguards and in the window frames whereby hingedly mounted window guardsmay be padlocked in the closed position. However, this is troublesome towindow washers and maintenance personnel and creates a major hazard inthe event of a fire or other emergency. Many possible escape routes areclosed when all lower floor windows are covered with heavy wire guardswhich are padlocked in the closed position. This hazard is of specialimportance in the case of school buildings.

In a recent Chicago school fire ninety students perished because theywere unable to leave the building promptly. As a result of that fire,the Chicago school system ordered all window guards unlocked duringdaylight hours and locked at the end of each school day. This creates anobvious burden on school engineers and maintenance men and, while theprocedure may be followed for a short time, in time it is certain to beoverlooked by the men charged with the responsibility for this task.

It is therefore one object of this invention to provide a locking meanswhich will resiliently maintain a panel in a closed position and whichwill be lockable to positively maintain the panel in a closed positionin response to the movement of a second associated panel.

It is another object of this invention to provide locking means for awindow guard wherein the locking means will normally maintain the guardin the closed position resiliently but will positively lock the guard inthe closed position whenever the associated window is also closed.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improvedwindow guard having a unique locking means which will selectively lockthe window guard in a closed position or resiliently maintain the guardin the closed position.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved windowguard which will protect against glass breakage, which can be positivelylocked against vandals and prowlers, and which provides protectionagainst panic in the event of an emergency.

2,924,862 Patented Feb. 16, 1960 It is still a further object of thisinvention to provide an improved window guard and locking means which issafe and inexpensive while providing adequate protection for publicproperty and safety.

Further objects of this invention will become obvious from aconsideration of this description, the accompanying drawings and theappended claims.

In one form of this invention a unique locking means is provided formaintaining a hingedly mounted panel such as a window guard over anopening in an associated building wall whereby the panel is resilientlymaintained in position over the opening whenever a secondary closure forthe opening is ajar but is positively locked whenever the secondaryclosure is in closed relationship.

For a more complete understanding of the invention reference will now bemade to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a window employing a window guard andlocking means constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of the window guard and locking means ofFig. 1, looking outwardly from within the building;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the window, window guard and locking meanstaken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is similar to Fig. 3 with the window guard ajar;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of the window frame and sash;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 7 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1, aconventional double hung window sash 10 is illustrated in a verticalwall 12. A window guard 14 covers the opening defined by the window sash10 and is hinged along one vertical edge of the frame by a plurality ofhinges 16. The window guard comprises a welded steel frame 18 formed ofa channel member, better illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 with a woven wiremesh 20 secured in the frame and filling the space defined thereby. Thewire mesh 20 and frame 18 comprise a panel member which effectivelyprevents window breakage and ingress by vandals, prowlers, burglars andthe like.

In the window illustrated in Fig. 1, upper pane 22 and lower pane 24 arespaced in overlying planes so that the lower edge of the upper pane andupper edge of the lower pane align. A convention-a1 locking means 26 isprovided to prevent relative movement between the two panes.

While it is highly desirable that ingress by vandals, prowlers and thelike be prevented where window guards are employed by schools and otherinstitutions, it is very important that the window guards can be openedquickly in the event of an emergency. The locking means of the instantinvention provides this dual protection. As best illustrated in Fig. 2,the locking means comprises a rod 28 pivotally mounted in supports 30secured to the upper and lower channel members 32 and 34. Rod 28 has aplurality of small plates 36 secured thereto in spaced relationship.While the various parts are illustrated as a welded assembly, it shouldbe clear that they may be integrally cast or forged, or perhaps rivetedtogether.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1-6, two spaced plates or stop means 36 areprovided although in large windows additional plates may be desirable.The rod 28 and stop plates 36 are rotatably urged by a coil spring 38 sothat the stop plates 36 will abut against the channel 40 comprising thefree edge of frame 18. A flange or angle iron 42 is secured to thewindow sash by a plurality of screws 44 and is so disposed that one legof the flange extends into the window opening to align with the freeedge channel 40. This is best illustrated in Fig. 3. As can be seen inFig. 3, coil spring 38 urges stop plate 36 toward channel 40 and flange42 is en trapped therebetween whereby the window guard 14 is resilientlyheld in closed relationship over the window opening.

As should be obvious, the spring 38 may have any desired stiffness toprevent inadvertent opening of the guard. However, the window guard maybe readily opened by applying pressure from the inside. Thus, in theevent of fire or other emergency, the window will be opened, and bymerely pushing on the window guard it too will open. Thus effectivepanic protection is provided.

The operation of the guard is clearly illustrated in Fig. 4 where therod 28 isrotated counterclockwise by force applied in the direction ofarrow 46 whereby stop plates 36 release flange 42, permitting egressthrough the window.

To prevent vandalism during the hours when the building is not normallyoccupied, means is provided for positively locking the window guard. Thelocking means comprises a locking arm 48 extending transversely from rod28 through the window opening. The locking arm 48 has a length such thatit aligns with but is spaced from the sliding window 24. As will beapparent, if the locking arm 28 is restrained against movement thewindow guard 14 will be positively locked in place. To provide thisrestraint, a locking keeper 50, best illustrated in Fig. 5, is securedto the lower window frame 24 by a pair of carriage bolts 52. The lockingkeeper 50 extends outwardly from the lower frame 24 and has an angularsloping cam-like surface 54.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, when the lower frame 24 is in closed positionthe keeper 50 receives locking arm 48 whereby the arm is restrainedagainst rotation and the window guard is positively locked in place. Byraising the window only a few inches the locking arm 48 is freed and thewindow guard 14 is held in the closed position only by the resilientforce of spring 38. The cam surface 54 insures positive locking of thewindow guard. In the event that the guard has not been pulled snuglyagainst flange 42, the camming action of surface 54 on arm 48 willinsure a tight fit.

An alternate embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 7. Thisembodiment is especially adapted for the conversion of existing windowguards to the safe but positive locking system described herein. Awindow guard 14 having wire mesh and frame 18 is provided with aplurality of apertures 56 along the free edge thereof and in the upperand lower channels 3 2 and 34 adjacent the free edge. A kit comprisingthe elements already described mounted in supporting brackets is securedto the window guard 14. Upper gusset plate 60 has a mounting pillow 62extending therefrom to receive rod 28. Similarly, a lower gusset plate64 having apertures 66 to receive mounting bolts has a bracket 68 weldedthereto with a supporting recess therein to receive the lower end of rod28.

Coil spring 38 is secured at one end to the gusset. 64 and at the otherend to locking arm 48 and urges the stop plates against the free edgeportion of frame 18. Where desired, any number of stop plates 36 may beprovided. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7, a third intermediatestop plate 36 is employed. A corresponding supporting bracket 70 havingapertures 72 for bolting to the channel 18 and cylindrically-shapedportions 74 to receive rod 28 is provided for greater strength andrigidity. As illustrated, gusset plate 60 and pillow 62 are welded,while supporting bracket 70 has integrally formed collar portions 74.However, as will be clear, any desired construction technique may beemployed. The kit will further include the angle irpn. 42 whigh 4secured to the window frame and the locking keeper 50 which is bolted tothe lower window-pane.

While the locking feature of the instant invention is extremelyimportant in accessible windows on the lower floors of public buildings,where the window guard is used above this level the locking plate 50 maybe omitted and the features of the invention relating to emergencyescape and accessibility for window washing and maintenance are stillobtained.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain thecharacter of my invention that others may, by applying currentknowledge, readily adapt the same for use under varying conditions ofservice, while retaining certain features which may properly be said toconstitute the essential items of novelty involved, which items areintended to be defined and secured to me by the following claims.

I claim:

1. Locking means for resiliently maintaining a hinged panel member inclosed relationship over an opening in a building wall and forpositively locking said panel member in said closed relationship inresponse to the position of a secondary closure means, said lockingmeans comprising stop means rotatably mounted adjacent the free edge ofsaid panel member, flange means secured to said building wall adjacentsaid opening substantially parallel to and adjacent said free edge whensaid panel member is in said closed relationship, resilient means urgingsaid stop means toward said free edge whereby said panel member ismaintained in said closed relationship by the resilient engagement ofsaid flange means between said panel member and said stop means, andlocking means extending transversely from said stop means into saidbuilding opening and engageable by said secondary closure means wherebysaid stop means is restrained against rotation.

2. Locking means for resiliently maintaining a hinged panel member inclosed relationship over a building opening and for positively lockingsaid panel member in said closed relationship in response to theposition of a secondary closure means, said locking means comprising rodmeans rotatably mounted adjacent the free edge of said panel member,flange means secured to said building adjacent said openingsubstantially parallel to and spaced from said rod means when said panelmember is in said closed relationship, stop means extending from saidrod means and engaging said flange means, spring means rotatably urgingsaid rod means to resiliently maintain said stop means against saidflange means and said flange means intermediate said stop means and saidpanel member, and a locking arm extending transversely from said rodmeans and engageable by said secondary closure means whereby said rodmeans is restrained against rotation.

3. Locking means for resiliently maintaining a hinged panel member inclosed relationship over an opening in a building wall and forpositively locking said panel member in said closed relationship inresponse to the position of a secondary closure means, said lockingmeans comprising support means secured to said panel member at spacedpositions adjacent the free edge thereof, rod means rotatably mounted onsaid support means, a plurality of stop means extending transversely ofsaid rod means, resilient means rotatively urging said rod means to urgesaid stop means toward said free edge, flange means secured to saidbuilding wall adjacent said opening substantially parallel to andadiacent said free edge when said panel member is in said closedrelationship, said flange means being resiliently maintained betweensaid panel member and said stop means to maintain said panel member insaid closed relationship, and locking means extending transversely fromsaid rod means into said building opening and engageable by saidsecondary closure means whereby said rod means is maintained in lockedrelationship against rotation.

4. Locking means for resiliently maintaining a window guard hinged alongone edge in closed relationship over a window opening in a building walland for positively locking said window guard in said closed relationshipin response to the position of an associated window disposed in saidwindow opening, said locking means comprising stop means rotatablymounted adjacent the free edge of said guard, flange means secured tosaid building wall adjacent said opening and extending into saidopening, said flange means being substantially parallel to and adjacentsaid free edge when said guard is in said closed relationship, resilientmeans urging said stop means toward said free edge whereby said guard ismaintained in said closed relationship by the resilient engagement ofsaid flange means between said guard and said stop means, and lockingmeans extending transversely from said stop means into said window andengageable by said window whereby said stop means is restrained againstrotation.

5. Locking means for resiliently maintaining a window guard hinged alongone edge in closed relationship over a window opening in a building walland for positively locking said guard in said closed relationship inresponse to the position of an associated window mounted in saidopening, said locking means comprising rod means rotatably mountedadjacent the free edge of said guard, flange means secured to saidbuilding adjacent and extending into said opening, said flange meansbeing substantially parallel to and spaced from said rod means when saidguard is in said closed relationship, stop means extending from said rodmeans and engaging said flange means, spring means rotatably urging saidrod means to resiliently maintain said stop means against said flangemeans and said flange means intermediate said stop means and said guard,and a locking element extending transversely from said rod means andengageable by said window when said window is in a predeterminedposition whereby said rod means is restrained against rotation.

6. Locking means for resiliently maintaining a window guard hinged alongone edge in closed relationship over a window opening in a bulding walland for positively locking said guard in said closed relationship inresponse to the position of an associated window mounted in saidopening, said locking means comprising support means adapted to besecured to said guard at spaced positions adjacent the free edgethereof, rod means rotatably mounted on said support means, a pluralityof stop means extending transversely from said rod means at spacedintervals, resilient means rotatively urg- I ing said rod means to urgesaid stop means toward said free edge, flange means secured to saidbuilding wall adjacent said window opening and extending into saidopening, said flange means being substantially parallel to and adjacentsaid free edge when said guard is in said closed relationship, saidflange means being resiliently maintained between said guard and saidstop means to maintain said window in said closed relationship, andlocking means extending transversely from said rod means into saidwindow opening and engageable by said window whereby said rod is lockedagainst rotation.

7. Locking means for resiliently maintaining a window guard hinged alongone edge in closed relationship over a window opening in a building walland for positively locking said guard in said closed relationship inresponse to the position of an associated window mounted in saidopening, said locking means comprising support means adapted to besecured to said guard at spaced positions adjacent the free edgethereof, rod means rotatably mounted on said support means, a pluralityof stop means extending transversely from said rod means at spacedintervals, resilient means rotatively urging said rod means to urge saidstop means toward said free edge, flange means secured to said buildingwall adjacent said window opening and extending into said opening, saidflange means being substantially parallel to and adjacent said free edgewhen said guard is in said closed relationship, said flange means beingresiliently maintained between said guard and said stop means tomaintain said window in said closed relationship, a locking elementextending transversely from said rod means into said window opening, andmeans secured to said window and engageable with said locking element tomaintain said stop means against said flange whenever said window is ina closed position.

8. Locking means for resiliently maintaining a window guard hinged alongone edge in closed relationship over a window opening in a building walland for positively locking said guard in said closed relationship inresponse to the position of an associated window mounted in saidopening, and vertically slidable between an open and a closed position,said locking means comprising support means adapted to be secured tosaid guard at spaced positions adjacent the free edge thereof, rod meansrotatably mounted on said support means, a plurality of stop meansextending transversely from said rod means at spaced intervals,resilient means rotatively urging said rod means to urge said stop meanstoward said free edge, flange means secured to said building walladjacent said window opening and extending into said opening, saidflange means being substantially parallel to and adjacent said free edgewhen said guard is in said closed relationship, said flange means beingresiliently maintained between said guard and said stop means tomaintain said window in said closed relationship, a locking armextending transversely from said rod means into said window opening, anda locking plate secured to said window and engageable with said lockingarm to maintain said stop means against said flange means whenever saidguard and said window are closed.

9. The window guard of claim 8 wherein said locking plate comprises anangularly disposed plate extending toward said guard and upwardly towardsaid flange whereby said plate engages said locking element and urgessaid stop means against said flange means.

10. A window guard assembly comprising a guard panel member hinged to abuilding wall and locking means for resiliently maintaining said hingedguard panel member in closed relationship over an opening in said walland for positively locking said panel member in said closed relationshipin response to the position of a secondary closure means, said lockingmeans comprising stop means rotatably mounted adjacent the free edge ofsaid panel member, flange means secured to said building wall adjacentsaid opening substantially parallel to and adjacent said free edge whensaid panel member is in said closed relationship, resilient means urgingsaid stop means toward said free edge whereby said panel member ismaintained in said closed relationship by the resilient engagement ofsaid flange means between said panel member and said stop means, andlocking means extending transversely from said stop means into saidbuilding opening and engageable by said secondary closure means wherebysaid stop means is restrained against rotation.

11. A window guard assembly comprising a window guard, means forhingedly mounting said guard along one edge of a building wall adjacenta window opening therein, and locking means for resiliently maintainingsaid guard in closed relationship over said window opening and forpositively locking said guard in said closed relationship in response tothe position of an associated window mounted in said opening, saidlocking means comprising rod means rotatably mounted adjacent the freeedge of said guard, flange means secured to said building adjacent andextending into said opening, said flange means being substantiallyparallel to and spaced from said rod means when said guard is in saidclosed relationship, stop means extending from said rod means andengaging said flange means, spring means rotatably urging said rod meansto resiliently maintain said stop means 7 against said flange means andsaid flange means intermediate said stop means and said guard, and alocking element extending transversely from said rod means andengageable by said window when said window is in a predeterminedposition whereby said rod means is restrained against rotation.

12. A window guard assembly comprising a window guard, means forhingedly mounting said guard along one edge of a building wall adjacenta window opening therein, and locking means for resiliently maintainingsaid guardin closed relationship over said window opening and forpositively locking said guard in said closed relationship in response tothe position of an associated window mounted in said opening andvertically slidable between an open and a closed position, said lockingmeans comprising support means adapted to be secured to said guard atspaced positions adjacent the free edge thereof, rod means rotatablymounted on said support means, a plurality of stop means extendingtransversely from said rod means at spaced intervals, resilient meansrotatively urging said rodmeans to urge said stop means toward said freeedge, flange means secured to said building wall adjacent said Windowopening and extending into said opening, said flange means beingsubstantially parallel to and adjacent said free edge when said guard isin said closed relationship, said flange means being resilientlymaintained between said guard and said stop means to maintain saidwindow in said closed relationship, a locking arm extending transverselyfrom said rod means into said window opening, and a locking platesecured to said window and engageable with said locking arm to maintainsaid stop means against said flange means whenever said guard and saidwindow are closed.

13. Locking means for maintaining a hinged panel member in closedrelationship over an opening in a wall and for positively locking saidpanel member in said closed relationship in response to the position ofa secondary closure means, said locking means comprising stop meansrotatably mounted adjacent a free edge of said panel member, flangemeans secured to said wall adjacent said opening and adjacent said freeedge when said panel member is .in said closed relationship, said stopmeans being yieldably maintained in a position toward said free edgewherebysaidpanel member is maintained in said closed relationship by theengagement of said flange means between said panel member and said stopmeans, and locking means extending transversely from said stop means androtatable therewith, said locking means extending into said opening andengageable by said secondary closure means whereby said stop means isrestrained against rotation.

References Cited in the file. of. this patent UNITED STATESPATENTS1,854,153 Ammen Apr. 12', 1932 1,855,865 McWane Apr. 26, 1932 2,711,565Levin June 28, 1955

